Dorothy Charles

Dorothy Charles is my 4th Great Grand Aunt, the sister of the my 4th Great Grandmother, Sarah Walker Charles.

Dorothy was born 17 July 1807 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  She is the daughter of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott.

Dorothy married Benjamin Franklin Langdon some time before 1832, the year her oldest child was born.  The first record found that would include Dorothy is the 1840 Federal Census.  Even though the 1840 census only lists the head of household, no spouses or children, we can assume the female listed is Dorothy.  The place of the census is Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  The head of household is listed as Franklin Langdon.  Residing with Franklin are 1 male under the age of 5, 2 males between 5 and 9, 1 female age 30 to 39 and 1 female aged 70 to 79.  This older female was most likely the mother of Benjamin as Dorothy's parents are residing next door.

The next record, the 1850 Federal Census, we find Dorothy without her husband, still residing in Wethersfield, now Wyoming County, New York.  She still has her three sons living with her as well as a younger sister, Miranda.  The owned real estate is valued at $2800.  Her profession is listed as farming.

Like several of the other Charles' children we next find Dorothy in Michigan.  The census year is 1860 and she is residing in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, with her oldest son Samuel Langdon and his wife, Emily Woods.  Also living with them is her youngest son, and his father's namesake, Benjamin Franklin Langdon.  Dorothy has personal belongings valued at $60.

In 1870 Dorothy still resides in Richland but this time she is living in the household of her youngest son, Benjamin.  She has real estate valued at $2800.  Her son is farming.  Next door is her son, Samuel (widowed with two children).  In the 1880 Federal Census the situation is nearly the same except Samuel is no longer next door.

Dorothy dies 31 August 1888 in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  She is buried in the Wethersfield cemetery in Wethersfield, New York with her husband.

Dorothy Charles and Benjamin Franklin Langdon had the following children:

1. Samuel C Langdon - born 22 January 1832 in New York.  Died 24 July 1915 in Paris, Kent County, Michigan.  Married (1st) Emily Wood, (2nd) Amanda Talman, (3rd) Minnie Munshaw.
2. Richard Langdon - born 4 June 1834 in New York.  Died 9 June 1895 in New York.  Married Nancy Morgan.
3. Benjamin Franklin Langdon - born 2 September 1840.  Died 29 June 1904 in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  Married Mary Gortner.

Nehemiah Charles

Nehemiah Charles was born 18 April 1803 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  He was the fifth child born to Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott.

We know that Nehemiah was married in the year 1830 because of the obituary of his wife, Anna Maria Langdon, in the state of New York.

The first record found for Nehemiah is the 1850 Federal Census taken in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  Mr. Charles has real estate valued at $400 and he is farming.  From this record we confirm his birth state of Maine.  We can also ascertain approximately when he moved from the state of New York, where he wed Anna, to Michigan by the birth states of his children.  His youngest in this record, Albion, was born in Michigan and is 4 years old.  His next youngest child, Wallace, is 7 years old and was born in New York.  So the Charles' moved sometime between 1843 and 1846 to Michigan.  I believe I read that Nehemiah and his family moved to Ionia County in the year 1844 with his sister Sarah Walker Charles' family (husband Chauncey Conkey).  I can't find the article that I believe I read this in.

Note: The eldest child found living in the 1850 Federal Census is Paul Charles, born 1832, in New York.  I make note of this for two reasons.  First, is that birth date confirms the obituary account of the approximate marriage year of Nehemiah in 1830.  Second, it is believed, from the information from another researcher, that Nehemiah's eldest son was actually Abner, born about 1823 in New York.  In order for Abner to be the son of Nehemiah would mean that Abner is not the son of Anna Maria Langdon.  Anna's obituary makes no mention of Abner.  I have not been able to find an obituary for Nehemiah - or of Abner, his supposed son.  I have not been able to confirm Abner's relation either way - if we look at paper proof (census records, obituary) it would lead one to assume that Abner is not related as he is never mentioned.

The 1860 Federal Census still finds the family farming in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  The real estate is now valued at $2000 and personal belongings at $800.  The 1870 Federal Census also finds the family in a similar situation.  It's interesting to note in the 1870 record that the eldest son, Paul, is still residing with his parents at the age of 38.  It's also interesting to note that both Nehemiah and his son, Paul, are noted with real estate values, yet residing together.  Nehemiah's value is $3500 and Paul's real estate value is $5400.  Living next door in 1870 is another son, William, on his own farm valued at $3200.

The family is still farming and living in North Plains in the next census of 1880.

Nehemiah passes away 23 September 1888, he is 85 years of age when he dies.  He is buried in the North Plains Cemetery.  No photo available at this time.

Nehemiah Charles and Anna Maria Langdon had the following children:

1. Abner Charles (mother unknown) (possibly not related) - born about 1823 in New York.  Marries first Charlotte (surname unknown) and second Jane (surname unknown).  Death date unknown but would be after 1880.
2. Paul Langdon Charles - born 16 February 1832 in New York. Dies 15 November 1911 in North Plains, Ionia County, New York.  Marries Addie Wilder.
3. Miranda L(Langdon?) Charles - born 9 November 1833 in New York.  Dies 11 March 1917 in Ionia County, Michigan.  Marries Dolphus Kneeland.
4. Mary Ann Charles - born 15 March 1835 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New  York.  Dies 1 June 1911 in Muir, Ionia County, New York. Marries John Henry Stevens.
5. Jane A Charles - born October 1837 in New York. Dies after 1910.  Never married.
6. William F Charles - born July 1840 in New York.  Dies 29 February 1924 in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  Marries Nancy Dalzell.
7. Wallace Charles - born September 1843 in New York.  Dies after 1920.  Marries Mary Elizabeth Marsh.
8. Albion Charles - born November 1846 in Michigan.  Dies after 1910.  Never married.

Charles' children; Joseph, Miranda, Olive, Susannah, Perry, Lucy,

This blog will be about several of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott's children.  These children have very little known about them.

Several researchers have documented that there was a daughter born to Joseph and Dorothy in 1797 in Maine but a name cannot be found.  The daughter is believed to have died young.

Joseph Charles was born 13 March 1801 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  He died 28 January 1828 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York. No known documents exist for Joseph.  It is believed the Joseph married a Mary Gordon. There is a photo (below) that is believed to be his headstone.  This picture was found on the findagrave website.  This is from the Wethersfield Cemetery where Joseph's father, Joseph, is also buried.

Miranda Charles can actually be found in several census's living with other family members.  She is found in the 1850 Federal Census living with her sister Dorothy Langdon in Wethersfield, New York; in the 1860, 1870 and 1880 Federal Census living with her sister Sarah Conkey in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan; in the 1900 Federal Census living with her nephew, Eli Conkey (son of Sarah).  Miranda dies at the age of 90 in Ionia County, Michigan.  This death certificate (below) shows the maiden name of her mother, Dorothy, when other researchers have noted as being different than shown on this document.  It shows that she died of old age with complications of heart disease.

Perry Charles was born 24 December 1811 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  He cannot be found in any records, nothing else is  known about Perry.

Olive Charles was born about 1814 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  She cannot be found in any records, nothing else is known about Olive.

Susannah Charles was born about 1816 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  It is believed she married Jacob Herrick around 1848 in New York.  Susannah and Jacob are found in the 1850 Federal Census living in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  This is the only record found for Susannah.

Lucy Charles was born 7 February 1820 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  She can found in the 1850 Federal Census living with her sister, Susannah Herrick, in Wethersfield.  No other records or information is known for Lucy.

Timothy Walker Charles

Timothy Walker Charles is my 4th Great Grand Uncle.  Timothy was born in 1796 either in Carroll County, New Hampshire or Oxford County, Maine.  The distance between the locations is very small but I have seen accounts by other researchers listing both.  He is the eldest son of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott.

Timothy is mentioned in the book, "History of Wyoming County, NY".  In this book it mention that Timothy is one of the first settlers in the town of Wethersfield, New York.  He is said to have arrived in Wethersfield in the year 1815 coming from the state of Maine. In 1815 the town would have been known as Orangeville as Wethersfield came into existence in 1823 when it split from Orangeville. Other Charles' mentioned as moving here at or around the same time is his father, Joseph, and a cousin, Samuel.  Since the first known child of Timothy isn't born until 1823 we can assume that he was most likely single at the time of his arrival.

At some point Timothy marries Miranda Langdon.  Miranda is believed to be the daughter of Paul Langdon and Mary Kimball.  Timothy isn't the only person in his family to marry into the Langdon household.  His brother, Nehemiah, and his sister, Dorothy, do as well.

I can't seem to locate Timothy in the 1820 Federal Census in Orangeville, New York, even though I can find his father Joseph, and his father-in-law, Paul Langdon, living next door to each other there.  By 1823 Timothy and his wife, Miranda have their first born child, Caroline Charles.  By 1830 we find the first record for Timothy.  He is listed as head of household in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  His household consists of two sons under the age of 5, two daughters between the age of 5 and 9, and his wife.

The Charles' family add another son to their family in 1831.  Unfortunately Miranda passes away in 1833 in Wethersfield, New York.  We find the family intact, minus Miranda , in the 1840 Census, still living in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.

We find Timothy, a widower, in the 1850 Federal Census.  He is still living in Wethersfield, now Wyoming County, New York.  Three of his children are living with him, Caroline, Homer and Joseph.  His profession is listed as a farmer and the value of his real estate is $1400.

Timothy is still in Wethersfield in the 1860 Federal Census.  Caroline is still unmarried and living with him.  His son, Joseph, is now married with two children and living in Timothy's household.  No profession is listed for Timothy but Joseph is farming.  The value of real estate is also listed next to Joseph, $1250.

The last record found for Timothy is the 1870 Federal Census, where he is still living in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  The single Caroline is still residing here.  Joseph is still running the farm but has remarried after his first wife passed away.  The two grandchildren still reside here as well.

Timothy can be found in the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule, 1850-1885.  He dies in April of 1880 in Eldred, McKean County, Pennsylvania.  Timothy had moved to McKean County with his son, Joseph, who appears to have been supporting his father for the last few decades.  The cause of death was listed as old age.

Timothy Walker Charles and Miranda Langdon had the following children:

1. Caroline Charles - born about 1823 in Genesee County, New York.  Dies about 1874 in Wyoming County, New York.
2. Unknown daughter (possibly Mary Ann) - born about 1824 in Genesee County, New York.
3. Homer Charles - born about 1825 in Genesee County, New York. Dies about 1880 in Wyoming County, New York.  Marries Levana Witherell.
4. Joseph Charles - born July 1828 in Genesee County, New York.  Dies 1904 in Eldred, McKean County, Pennsylvania.  Marries (1st) Jerusha unknown.  Marries (2nd) Caroline Blakeley.
5. Henry Charles - born 6 January 1831 in Genesee County, New York. Dies 1815 in Wyoming County, New York.  Marries Laurana Witherell.

Joseph Charles

Joseph Charles is my 5th Great Grandfather.  He believed to be the 2nd eldest son of Abner Charles and Sarah Walker.

Joseph is believed to have been born on 7 April 1773 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  Joseph's father, Abner Charles and Abner's brother, John Charles, are mentioned in the Town History of Fryeburg, Maine as some of the original settlers.  There were some accounts that list the place of birth of Joseph as Concord, New Hampshire.  Part of the reason for that could be that the original plot of land for Fryeburg was mistakenly in New Hampshire.  Once that was discovered the lines for the town were redrawn.

There are three census records that are believed to belong to Joseph Charles.  These census records find Joseph and family all in the state of New York.  The first census record, the Federal Census of 1820, finds the family in Orangeville, Genesse County, New York.

In Orangeville the Charles' household consisted of 1 male age 16 to 18, 3 males 16 to 25, 1 male 45 and older, 4 females under the age of 10, 1 female age 26 to 44,  and 1 female age 45 and older.  The 3 males age 16 to 25 were Timothy, Joseph and Nehemiah - with Nehemiah also being the male listed as age 16 to 18.  Joseph senior would be the male age 45 and older.  The four females under the age of 10 were Lucy, Susannah, Olive and Miranda.  The female age 26 to 44 would be Joseph's wife, Dorothy Abbott.  It is hard to assume who the female over the age of 45 is.  It could be Joseph's mother - as her death date is not known.  She would have been in her 70's.  Dorothy's mother had already passed away.  It could also have been a servant helping the large family.  There are four children unaccounted for in this census.  They are Elizabeth Charles, age 21, Sarah Charles, who would have been 15 years old, Dorothy Charles, age 13 and Perry Charles, age 9.  Elizabeth first child was born in 1819 so she was most likely living with her husband.  I'm not sure why Sarah and Dorothy would not be listed.  I've never found any records for Perry Charles so I could assume that he died young before the census was taken in 1820.

The second census for the Charles' family is the 1830 Federal Census taken in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  The town of Wethersfield was made from part of the town of Orangeville so the Charles family may not have moved since the 1820 Census.

In 1830 the family consisted of 1 male age 5 to 9, 1 male age 50 to 59, 2 females age 10 to 14, 1 female age 15 to 19, 1 female age 20 to 29, 1 female age 50 to 59. The male age 5 to 9 is John Joseph Charles. The male age 50 to 59 is Joseph Charles senior.  The two females age 10 to 14 are Lucy and Susannah and the female age 15 to 19 is Olive Charles.  The female age 20 to 29 could be either daughter Miranda or Dorothy.   The female age 50 to 59 would be Dorothy Charles, wife of Joseph.

The last census for Joseph Charles is the 1840 Federal Census taken in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.

The Charles' family in 1840 consisted of 1 male age 10 to 14, 1 male age 15 to 19, 1 male age 60 to 69, 2 females age 20 to 29, 1 female age 60 to 69. It's hard to determine who the youngest male is in this household, unless it is an unknown child.  The other male age 15 to 19 is John Joseph Charles.  Joseph Charles would be the male age 60 to 69.  The two females age 20 to 29 could still be daughters, possibly Lucy, Susannah, or Olive.  The female age 60 to 69 would be Dorothy Charles.

It should be noted that Wethersfield, New York is no longer in Genesee County.  The County lines were redrawn in 1841 and Wethersfield is now in Wyoming County, New York.

Joseph Charles died in February of 1846 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  He is buried in the Wethersfield Cemetery.

The children of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott are:

1. Timothy Walker Charles - born 16 September 1796 in Chatham, Carroll County, New Hampshire, died April 1880 in McKean, Erie County, Pennsylvania.  Married Miranda Langdon.

2. Elizabeth Walker Charles - born 21 February 1799 in Chatham, Carroll County, New Hampshire, died 9 December 1879 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  Married Daniel Curtis.

3. Joseph Charles - born 13 March 1801 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 28 January 1828 in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  Married Mary Gordon.

4. Nehemiah Charles - born 18 April 1803 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 23 September 1888 in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  Married Anna Mariah Langdon.

5. Sarah Walker Charles - born 13 April 1805 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 22 January 1890 in Palo, Ronald Township, Ionia County, Michigan.  Married Chauncey Conkey.

6. Dorothy Charles - born 17 July 1807 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 31 August 1888 in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  Married Benjamin Franklin Langdon.

7. Miranda Charles - born 5 February 1810 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 12 November 1901 in Ionia County, Michigan.  Never married.

8. Perry Charles - born 24 December 1811 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, death unknown but most likely before 1820.

9. Olive Charles - born about 1814 in Orangeville, Genesee County, New York.  Death unknown.  Marriage unknown.

10. Susannah Charles - born about 1816 in Orangeville, Genesee County, New York.  Death unknown.  Married Jacob Herrick.

Orangeville, Genesee County, New York. Death unknown.  Marriage unknown.

12.  John Joseph Charles - born 7 August 1823 in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York, died 23 September in Montcalm County, Michigan.  Married Mariah - surname unknown.